Story & Photography| Renée Suen
An all-inclusive getaway is a dreamy, stress-free option for honeymooners, with even the most flawless nuptials leaving the happy couple ready to unwind and recharge. These resorts offer a perfect blend of romance, luxury and relaxation. Here we feature some unforgettable locations to inspire your holiday to celebrate love.
Wymara Resort + Villas
For island hospitality and understated elegance with all the charms of a boutique hotel, a getaway to
five-star Wymara in Turks and Caicos is a must. The Canadian-owned, 91-room oceanfront luxury resort sits on a 120-metre stretch of world-famous Grace Bay Beach. The latter is consistently named one of
the best in the world and features powdery white sand flanking calm, crystal-clear waters.
Luxurious villa life at Wymara is the ultimate in privacy and luxury with both a private pool and a sundeck with direct access to the sea.
A sanctuary of comfort, choose from spacious studios or suites with breathtaking views overlooking
the pool, or the shimmering Atlantic Ocean and the island’s barrier reef. The guestrooms are equipped
with modern amenities, including electric blackout shades, a king bed, a sprawling bathroom that
includes a deep spa tub and room shower, cozy sitting area, and kitchenette or kitchen.
Those looking for seclusion can retreat to Wymara Villas + Beach Club that have one, four or five bedrooms.
Suites include a washer/dryer set-up for added convenience. Some rooms boast of an oversized patio, balcony or terrace. Those looking for seclusion and retreat at Wymara Villas + Beach Club, the property also includes private villas built with one, four or five bedrooms. Bonus: Each lofty accommodation has a private pool, a sundeck overlooking the sea and exclusive access to the Sunset Cove Beach Club.
Each lofty villa accommodation has a private pool, a sundeck that Andaz Mayakoba’s reception area is inspired by the interior of a cenote. sits overseeing the sea and exclusive access to the Sunset Cove Beach Club.
Having direct access to Grace Bay, guests at Wymara can easily explore the area by snorkelling, scuba or snuba diving in the Atlantic, sailing on the property’s own Hobie Cat, kayaking or paddle boarding. For something a little more exhilarating, consider parasailing, wakeboarding, jet or waterskiing, windsurfing and even flyboarding. For a more relaxing experience you can also go fishing, whale watching or even book a private charter. The indoor facilities include a 7,000-square-foot infinity pool, a 24-hour fitness centre, an outdoor yoga pavilion and the award-winning Exhale Spa.
Many guests relax in a cabana surrounding the lobby’s mosaic-tiled 7,000-square -foot infinity pool.
The onsite restaurants serve Caribbean-inspired fare. Oceanfront dining at Blue Water Bistro offers a casual, open-air experience featuring conch fritters, lobster roll, Caribbean jerk spiced salmon and tacos stuffed with fresh grouper. Meanwhile, at Indigo, local lobster gets char-grilled and finished in Bambarra rum, tossed with garlic cream sauce with homemade basil pesto on spaghetti. Or, there is a red coconut curry with jumbo king prawns, grouper and mussels. The restaurant also offers a wellness menu that has gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options, such as Cajun-spiced cauliflower steak that comes with coconut rice and chilled spiced black bean salsa.
Oceanfront dining at Wymara includes casual offerings at Blue Water Bistro that serves crowd favourites like conch fritters.
Wymara’s award-winning Indigo features local lobster that might be chargrilled and finished in Bambarra rum, or made into a red coconut curry with jumbo king prawns, grouper and mussels.
Then there’s the Pink Bar that offers classic cocktails and drink-friendly bites, but it’s the beach barbecues with food, live music and a beach bonfire that draws the crowds every Thursday and Sunday night. Choose from the seafood-only menu that features steamed lobster tails, blue crab cakes, shrimp and vegetable coconut red curry, crab claws and legs, sushi, and more, or the Island Beach Experience known for 24-hour smoked brisket, grilled Turks lobster, barbecued Haitian chicken thighs and beyond. Or, you can enjoy a custom menu, dining under the stars for the ultimate romantic experience.
Unwind on Wymara’s white sand beach while gazing at the panoramic views of the Caribbean with your loved one.
Wymara Resort + Villas
218 Lower Bight Rd, Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
1 (844) 388-0694
wymara.com
Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya
Consistently ranked among the top 10 resorts in Mexico by Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya is a luxurious, five-star secluded beachfront paradise surrounded by jungles and leafy mangroves. Found on a stunning stretch of white sand beach flanking the crystal blue Caribbean Sea, the resort is in the private gated Mayakoba complex—a 250-hectare area occupied by lagoons and three other high-end resorts, including the Rosewood, Fairmont and Banyan Tree.
The 538-square-foot King Bed Ocean View room has direct access to the white sand beach.
Andaz Mayakoba is in the private gated Mayakoba complex and shares its lagoon with Rosewood, Fairmont and Banyan Tree.
There are 214 luxurious guestrooms in the resort, which includes 41 suites with private plunge pools. Filled with natural light, each climatecontrolled contemporary room has an open layout and is equipped with private furnished terraces to enjoy views overlooking the Caribbean Sea, lagoon or golf course, and a complimentary minibar with snacks and non-alcoholic drinks.
Andaz Mayakoba’s reception area is inspired by the interior of a cenote.
For an intimate experience, the adults-only, lagoon-side pool has a hot tub and plenty of chaise lounge chairs or a cabana to relax in.
The night view of the Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya pool is tranquil and inviting.
Andaz Mayakoba’s award-winning Sotavento is a casual feet-in-the-sand dining experience with direct views of the Caribbean.
The ocean-side resort features stunning décor, including murals by local artist Senkoe that reflect the local Mayan culture. It offers adventures and activities for guests of all ages, including cooking classes, tequila or chocolate tastings, sound healing therapy, Hatha yoga classes and personalized treatments using Melipona honey from the Yucatan. The resort also offers an 18-hole championship golf course and a kids’ club for children aged 4 to 12.
Consider a couples massage featuring a personalized treatment at Naum Wellness & Spa using Melipona honey from the Yucatan, with Mayaninspired rituals and hydrotherapy.
Water-based activities include an electric boat ride on the freshwater lagoon. Whether it’s a trip to visit another resort, or on a private 45-minute breakfast tour of the Mayakoba complex, it’s best to reserve to avoid disappointment. You’ll see birds, small alligators, turtles and other jungle inhabitants on these daily tours. Those heading to the beach can try watersports like stand-up paddle boarding and kite surfing.
must-not-miss experience is the private 45-minute breakfast tour (supplemental charge) of the Mayakoba complex on the property’s electric boat.
The property’s five dining outlets offer exceptional cuisine, including Sotavento and Casa Amate which are both recognized in Mexico’s Top 250 Restaurants by Guía México Gastronómicom. Feetin-the-sand dining at Sotavento is a casual al fresco experience with front-row views of the Caribbean Sea. Here, seafood reigns and is served raw, as well as grilled. The succulent grilled oysters with garlic are a must.
Seafood reigns and is served raw, as well as grilled at Sotavento.
The dinner-only Casa Amate specializes in Latin American cuisine, serving everything from kampachi ceviche to prime beef served with chicatan butter and escamoles sauce. Don’t miss the Caribbean Soup, a coconut milk-laced stock studded with tender morsels of shrimp, scallops, fish and silky young coconut meat. Reservations are highly recommended for this special experience.
The dinner-only Casa Amate specializes in Latin American cuisine.
By the main pool there’s Vegan Bar, which serves a variety of juices, smoothies, salads and wraps during the day, and drinks at night. For all-day casual Mexican fare, there’s Tinta del Pulpo. From poolside snacks of salads and burgers to a wide variety of ceviches and aguachiles, Oaxaca cheese-filled tlayudas, seafood tostadas, tacos and gringas, consider it a stop for fresh and vibrant Mexican breakfast plates and desserts.
Tinta del Pulpo offers all-day casual Mexican fare.
Tinta del Pulpo is a stop for fresh and vibrant Mexican breakfast plates and desserts.
Feast on Mexican and international cuisines at all-day Cocina Milagro, which offers an extensive menu, plus breakfast buffet. The latter includes a salsa station, an omelette station, pastry section and a quesadilla station to fill fresh grilled corn tortillas with everything.
The breakfast spread at Cocina Milagro has both Mexican and international food stations, but features an incredible quesadilla station using fresh grilled corn tortillas.
Note: Andaz Mayakoba offers an all-inclusive package which includes the property’s restaurants, premium beverages from the open bar, all in-room snacks and dining.
Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya
Carretera Federal, Carr. Cancún – Tulum Km. 298, Solidaridad, Playa del
Carmen, 77710, Mexico
Tel: +52 984 149 1234
hyatt.com
